Official Review

Papa Rabbit Hits The Big Time is a superbly-packaged trick from Daryl's "Fooler Dooler" line of magic. Yes, it's the classic "sponge bunny" trick that comes with nearly every beginner's magic set, but don't shrug it off. You're getting a lot more than a few pieces of foam. You're getting a finely-tuned, complete routine. This piece is right out of Daryl's professional act. I first saw him perform it in the early 1980s, and as such it's a proven winner.

What you get for your money is a DVD (approximately 15 minutes) with separate performance and explanation segments. (The video is excerpted from Daryl's Fooler Dooler's Vol 3 by L&L Publishing, according to the credits.) You'll see Daryl give a typically energetic performance for a very receptive audience of apparent laymen. If you had any doubts about the effectiveness of this routine, watching the audience during the performance will put them to rest -- these folks are clearly having fun. It's no wonder he uses it as an opener, it really gets the crowd warmed up and introduced to your personality. (Of which Daryl has, of course, in abundance.)

The explanation segment is well-shot and goes into more than enough detail, with a few tips about the thinking behind the routine thrown in for good measure. A single-page printed summary is also included, which is a very nice touch and speaks to the overall care put into the packaging.

Oh, and you also get the requisite foam bunnies. They've been decorated a bit, which enables a charming bit of business upon which Daryl hangs the whole routine. The bunnies are of good quality, and the preparation they've undergone is nicely done; you can see Daryl's handmade version in the video, which predated this separate release, and I'm guessing he now uses the new design himself.

If you're lucky enough to have a copy of the out-of-print book by Stephen Minch, "For Your Entertainment Pleasure" (1982) you'll find this routine there under the name "Peter Rabbit Hits The Big Time". That's how Daryl refers to it in the video too; but elsewhere the name is "Papa Rabbit," probably an example of the persuasive magic of copyright lawyers.

Available at your favorite Murphy’s Magic dealer

Product info for Papa Rabbit Hits The Big Time

The fun begins when a sponge rabbit and a little bird are magically produced. A clean and baffling transposition is followed by a hilarious comedy of errors expose. Mama and Papa rabbits then appear and disappear in the hands of both the magician and the spectator. For an unforgettable finish, a handful of baby bunnies magically appear in the spectator's tightly clenched fist!

Includes Daryl's hilarious routine and word for word patter.

Also includes instructional DVD - featuring a live performance by Daryl - The Magician's Magician.